Travel really is a wonderful thing. It broadens the mind and can open you up to new experiences that you’d never otherwise have. Which makes it all the more unusual how often people tend to get themselves stuck in something of a routine when they travel. Far too often people find a single travel destination that they fall in love with, and then they visit that place over and over again until it loses so much of what once made it so magical. It’s amazing that many people can take something as wonderful and exciting as travel, and actually find a way to make it boring! Of course, things don’t have to be that way! Here are a few ideas for some different things that you can do on your next trip.

One of the things about traveling is that it takes you out of your comfort zone a little bit. This can be one of the very best things about it. If you go back to the same hotels and resorts time after time that feeling can fade away, leaving things feeling stale and pedestrian. If you really want to turn that on its head then why not take a trip where you’re completely and totally off the grid. Strip yourself of all of the typical comforts that you associate with a vacation and get back to basics in a big way. Doing this allows you to learn more about survival, remind yourself that you don’t need to be glued to technology all the time, and remind yourself of how it feels to be alive when everything isn’t constantly provided for you. Sure it might not be the most relaxing trip, but it will certainly be one that you always remember.

Go somewhere where you don’t speak the language

Another way to really shake things up and sweep out the cobwebs is to go somewhere where everything is completely foreign to you. Of course, there are many destinations where English isn’t the dominant language, but many of those have dedicated tourist areas that make allowances for you. Instead, try going somewhere that doesn’t make those concessions. Take a phrasebook with you and really engross yourself in a culture that’s completely alien to you. It won’t take long before you come to understand it better and you’ll often come away with a much greater understanding of the world around you and the different cultures in it.

If you want an immediate shake-up to your normal travel plans, but you don’t really know where to start, then start with what you’re used to, and flip it on its head. If usually travel in cities and enjoy a degree of luxury, take some time out in the wilderness, if camping is usually your thing then get stuck into the incredible energy and culture that cities have to offer. By going in the exact opposite direction to what you’re used to, you can discover a whole new world of possibilities that you might never have even considered before.